Persistent Joy To Be Approached with Care...
A reflection on the slippery ground of happiness in the Polish psyche
I've been feeling happy lately. No, really! As a Pole, this phenomenon is almost as baffling as why we keep stuffing cabbage into everything. Yes, the true reason behind my triple nationalities was to water down some of the unique national talents: one of them is — to feel sorry for themselves.
Polish people are masters of guilt. Missed a family gathering? Guilt. Bought yourself something nice? Double guilt. Feeling happy for no apparent reason? Triple guilt. This guilt is so ingrained in the national psyche that one should feel guilty about not feeling guilty enough.
Research has shown that this type of guilt can be influenced by cultural contexts. In cultures where communal values and empathy are highly emphasised, individuals often feel a heightened sense of responsibility for the well-being of others, making personal happiness feel like a luxury.
Expressing happiness in Poland is likely to be met with suspicion, especially historically. Younger people don’t ask anymore "Why are you happy? What's wrong with you?" Happiness for the older generation was almost seen as a betrayal of the collective suffering. Yet, here I am, basking in joy despite having had more disturbed sleep nights than a night-shift worker.
Psychological studies indicate that survivor's guilt and social comparison can contribute significantly to the feeling of happiness guilt. People who have endured hardship or come from backgrounds where suffering is common may feel guilty about their happiness as if they are betraying their shared experiences.
So normally I should ask myself: Could it be that my joy is just a seasonal blip, a mere chemical reaction to the budding flowers and longer days? Maybe my brain is just drowning in dopamine from the extra sunlight, tricking me into thinking life is grand.
Seasonal variations in mood are well-documented, with spring and summer often bringing increased levels of happiness due to more sunlight and longer days. This can lead to a temporary uplift in mood, which might feel foreign and even guilt-inducing for those accustomed to more sombre emotional states.
As someone who has abandoned the deep philosophical ruminations that once led to question everything from the meaning of life to why we pronounce “Łódź” the way we do, I find this lingering joy perplexing. Perhaps I am selfish for not reaching out to friends who are feeling temporarily low in mood, ignoring the news, which I barely read anyway. Is my joy an illusion, a mere byproduct of ignorance?
Research suggests that a break from negative news and philosophical overthinking can indeed lead to increased happiness. Constant exposure to negative stimuli can weigh heavily on mental health, while a more carefree approach can foster a more sustained positive outlook.
Maybe I should feel dumb for letting go of endless philosophical debates that only spiralled me into a vortex of doubt and existential dread. Or maybe, just maybe, abandoning those divagations was the key to unlocking this strange, guilt-ridden joy.
And who knows? Maybe reflecting on what’s undesirable in our culture frees us from the unnecessary burdens of overthinking…
Ps: Carefully wishing you a day free from overthinking…
